Local tour operator · Johannesburg
A small-group day from Johannesburg that combines the Cullinan mine with a walk through the village and a visit to local diamond dealers. Pick it if shopping for a stone is part of the plan, and go in knowing the rules on rough diamonds.
This is a new listing with no reviews yet. It describes a mine visit, a walk through Cullinan village and a visit to local diamond dealers, in about 6 hours, as a small group with skip-the-line entry. The title says it starts in Johannesburg. The listing gives no more than that, so check the pickup arrangements before you book.
The village walk is the part the other mine-only trips skip. Cullinan grew up around the mine from 1903, and Oak Avenue, its main street, is lined with jacarandas and oaks, shops and restaurants. The Herbert Baker church dates from 1904. At the mine itself, no tour goes underground: underground visits were suspended on 30 April 2023 (Petra's statement), so expect the standard surface stops.
Go to the dealers with your eyes open. South Africa's Diamonds Act prohibits possessing unpolished diamonds without a licence or permit, so buy polished stones only. Tourists can claim back 15% VAT on goods exported within 90 days, through the SARS refund scheme. We found no evidence that diamonds are cheaper in South Africa than at home, so compare prices before you pay.
The listing starts in Johannesburg. Confirm pickup details with the operator after booking.
The mine visit. The standard surface stops are the film, replica diamonds, a tunnel model, the shafts and the Big Hole lookout.
The listing includes a walk through the village, where Oak Avenue and the early 1900s buildings are the main sights.
A visit to local diamond dealers, according to the listing.
The drive home after about 6 hours in total.
★★★★★Very interesting! The guide was very pleasant and knowledgeable, and also very kind!
★★★★★Guide was perfect, he was graduated student in the industry so he could answer all the questions
Read next:
Yes. It's a new listing with no reviews yet. It lists a 6-hour small-group day with the mine, a village walk and diamond dealers.
Not legally without a licence or permit. The Diamonds Act states that possessing an unpolished diamond is prohibited unless an exception applies. Stick to polished stones.
We found no evidence of that. What you can count on is the 15% VAT refund for tourists on goods taken out of the country within 90 days.
No. Underground tours at Cullinan have been suspended since 30 April 2023. See our underground tour guide.
Ready to book
The mine, a walk through Cullinan village and a visit to local diamond dealers, with transport.
Cullinan Diamond Mine & Pretoria Full DayOne long day from Johannesburg: the mine's surface tour, the Voortrekker Monument and the Union Buildings, with pickup.★ 4.5 · 8 hours · from $174
Johannesburg: Cullinan Diamond Mine TourHotel transport, the surface tour and the mine market in 5 hours. The priciest way to see the same mine, from $300.★ 4.0 · 5 hours · from $300
Pretoria City Tour and Cullinan Diamond MineA private day with hotel pickup: Pretoria's landmarks first, then the Cullinan mine's surface tour in the afternoon.★ 4.7 · 8 hours · from $107